Can't send Ctrl-Alt-Del to new P2V

[KenMadsen]

used the converter standalone(6.2.0) to P2V lenovo T440P laptop. Conversion successful, but when copied to Win 10 laptop running Workstation 10.0.7, i can't login to the VM.   I can do that for other VMs on the Win 10 system.  Wont respond to ctrl-alt-insert or send ctrl-alt-delete from VM menu.  All postings refer to a correction inside the VM, but without being able to logon, i can't get rid of physical hardware drivers or install vmtools.

I can redo the P2V if necessary, but as it takes hours to convert, I would need reliable suggestions before doing that. 

[continuum]

Same approach as you would use on physical hardware ...
1. First try to connect via RDP
if that works uninstall keyboards and reboot.
If you cant use RDP the less convenient option is to use a Windows 10 LiveCD to boot the VM.
Load the systemhive of the p2v-ed system on disk and remove drivers that no longer fit manually.
And by far the easiest variant: try to use Converters "reconfigure system" option again - takes 5 minutes and either works or fails.

[KenMadsen]

I can't RDP - first try logged into the old laptop, but after I took it off the network, i couldn't access it.  The VM is using bridged network, so i I knew how to work out the IP (assuming it gets one before one logs in), I can try.  I don't have CDs and unfamiliar with loading systemhives or the reconfigure for converted.

[wila]

Hi,

It's pretty much always the synaptic drivers causing this.

Uninstall them before you do the migration.

edit: if the mouse works you could try to use the onscreen keyboard.

You might also be able to boot into recovery mode (fail the boot 3 times on win10 and it will automatically offer to repair etc..)

--

Wil

[KenMadsen]

The host is Win 10, but the VM is Win 7.  I tried the onscreen keyboard, but that did not send the CtrlAltDel either.  I know the keyboard works ad when I restart the VM, it lands on Win 7's console showing restart options.  Pressing enter on the physical keyboard lets me start Win 7 normally.

[wila]

OK.

Note that a Ctrl+Alt+Del option is available via the menu (VM -> Send Ctrl+Alt+Del )

Well if you cannot boot into a safe mode then you might still be able to add an extra usb keyboard and pass it straight to the guest.

Not sure if you have to edit the .vmx file for that though as I seem to recall that by default a keyboard is always attached to the host.

Yep, for being able to use that trick you have to shut down the vm.

Close Workstation and add the following line to the .vmx file using a plain text editor such as notepad.

usb.generic.allowHID = "TRUE"

Not sure if that allows you to use the keyboard in the guest, but I have a hunch it does.

--

Wil

[KenMadsen]

I have already tried all send ctrlaltdel in workstation and ctrl-alt-ins on keyboard.  I can try safe mode  and the edit you suggested

[KenMadsen]

when restarting guest and choosing safe mode, it loads the drivers and dumps me back to thw Win 7 Ctrl-Alt-Del screen, where I cannot execute a send ctrl-alt-del

Same story when I added the line into the VMX file

[wila]

Well, then I am running out of ideas and it looks like that you will have to rerun the P2V operation after you uninstall the synaptics software and drivers.

--
Wil

[KenMadsen · Accepted solution]

I uninstalled the two synaptics drivers.  At first, I did it from device manager, but despite the indicated reboots it didn't uninstall.  Did it from Programs and they uninstalled.  Redid the P2V and copied it to the Win 10 laptop.  It sent the ctrl-alt-del from the workstation toolbar on the first try.

Now I can remove all the other physical drivers and other lenovo utils and install vmtools

thanks wila

[samuelpp]

Use the on-screen keyboard - but use the following key combination:

Ctrl + AltGr + Del

It will work!